NBN Bega Valley rollout gains momentum

THE National
Broadband Network is gaining momentum in the South Coast region as NBN Co on
Wednesday unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be
lodged to provide local farms, homes and businesses access to fast broadband –
including the Bega Valley.

Subject to final
planning and other approvals, NBN Co plans to deliver access to fast broadband
via its fixed wireless network to parts of the Bega Valley, Shoalhaven and
Eurobodalla council areas, with facilities currently expected to be switched on
in stages starting from mid-2015.

Over the coming
months, NBN Co and its design and construction partners will work with local
governments to identify appropriate locations for fixed wireless network
infrastructure in and around the South Coast area.

NBN Co spokesman
Michael Tyler said the fixed-wireless service can bring access to better
broadband to the bush.

“More farms,
residents and businesses can look forward to having access to faster internet
with the NBN expanding its broadband footprint in NSW’s South Coast region,” Mr
Tyler said.

“For decades, rural
and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to
telecommunications.

“The fixed wireless
service is designed to provide access to internet speeds and bandwidth that many
in the big cities currently take for granted.

"The NBN also
means you can get the whole family on line at once, opening up opportunities
for local farms, businesses and the wider region to participate in the digital
age.

“Fast broadband can
help deliver improved access to health, education and entertainment over high
quality video links.”

The announcement
was welcomed by Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy.

“I am very
pleased to note that this much-needed infrastructure will offer retail service
providers download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second - the download speed
promised by the Coalition during the federal election last year,” Dr Hendy
said.

“This is good news for the South Coast.”

NBN Co’s wholesale
fixed wireless service offers retail service providers download speeds of up to
25 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to 5 megabits per second.

NBN Co also plans
to deliver these wholesale speeds to retail service providers over satellite in
rural and remote areas with its Long Term Satellite Service (currently
scheduled for 2015).

For further
information about NBN Co and construction plans, visit www.nbnco.com.au.